Interlude –

The Path to Ascension

Siuil scratched his neck as he looked around. Old Ascalon after the Searing had been a desolate wasteland, seeming to forever be clouded over by storm clouds. The Jungle of Maguuma, in the highlands, very dry and very hot. But then it had been bearable. He looked over at Raistlin, "And this is where you claimed to live for how many years before finding your way to Ascalon?"

"A few," answered Raistlin.

"How?" asked Terryann. "There's nothing here… like… nothing at all."

Raistlin rolled his eyes, "It's a desert."

And so it was. The Crystal Desert was hot and dry, and unlike Maguuma, which had tree cover, it had no such thing. Sand Dunes rolled and pitched like the sea. Wind picked up stray sands to leave them with this constant itch of sand in every bit of armor. Siuil wore his gladiator armor out of necessity, as again the plate mail would have baked him alive while in it. Unfortunately, it left the majority of him uncovered and victim to the harsh sun.

Xiyra walked around in her Wyvern scale armor, and Siuil had to wonder how she managed as it was a similar armor to his steel plate and had to too warm. Her hair was kept up in a hood that also kept the sun off her neck. She walked over; long, loose linen robes the color of sand in her hands. Siuil looked at her. "What are those for?"

"You wear them over your armor," she answered. "The natives tell me they will keep the sand off of you, but also are loose enough to move in and tight enough to not let them get in the way. As well, it will keep the heat of the sun from being so penetrating."

"Where is… Lady Selena?" Arya turned suddenly, not finishing her sentence, as Selena walked over to them in full necromancer's armor.

She did not wear the loose leather armor like Eve, although the top was the same if far more modest. Selena had gone back to the same style as before the Searing, although she wore it short sleeved and with thigh high boots. Unlike most necromancers, her armor was dyed a soft blue that they had all nearly mistaken for white that reminded them of Alesia and other monks. Arya looked her up and down, "I thought you were going to New Ascalon."

"I did," she answered. "But I was told about the betrayal of Markis. I came as soon as I could. I may not have the same skills as other Necromancers… unfortunately… I have not been able to adventure beside all of you to gain them. And so I come now. It is time I stopped hiding behind politics and lived life the way Rurik knew me. The islands of New Ascalon are temporarily led by Captain Greywind in my absence."

"Either way," said Siuil. "Your healing skills and your minions will be appreciated, although now I have both you and Terryann to worry about."

She lifted a brow, "Considering it was you and not Terryann or I that collapsed in Maguuma, you will have very little to worry about. Now, Master Matheri… as you are more familiar with the Desert than us, what would be a good course of action?"

"Well," Lynn thought for a moment. "When I first appeared here I found myself in Augury Rock. Perhaps we should start there… or talk to that ghost over there."

They turned to the large ghost in the shape of a man. Siuil looked up and it was Gatanx who pointed out, "Him big for human. As big as Gatanx."

"Yeah, I was coming to that conclusion," said Siuil as he looked up at the ghost.

The ghost looked at each one of them, as if searching their very souls. Perhaps he was. Selena stepped forward, "Who are you spirit, that you stay attached to this world? What name shall we call you?"

"I am the ghost of a fallen hero long ago," answered the spirit. "My name is not important, but what is important is that I guide you through your tests and eventual ascension. My people came here long ago when the desert was ocean, seeking the fabled ascension, but failed in our quest. Many have come after, but none have succeeded. But, I have been called back by the Gods to fulfill prophecy set out by one more ancient and wise than I, are you here to fulfill the Flameseeker Prophecy?"

"Come again?" asked Siuil, shocked. "Us? That old tale was about us?"

"It would have to be," agreed Arya. "Tell us, what details are we missing from the prophecy?"

"Many it would seem," answered the ghostly hero. "Like that everything, including the Searing, has been foreseen. You followed the prince of Ascalon, though he was doomed. And doomed he was, when he fell in the Shiverpeaks. We live in a time of judgment, but not all are to be judged as your Meerak thought in Ascalon."

Siuil blinked, "So his eyes were on another plane and not ours. He was with the Gods."

"Indeed," said the hero. "And so there is little more to him than a mere shell and his voice, which is now the voice of the Gods. And, the presence of both others from another place, another time, and are both working to aid you but also destroy you. But it is not my place to clear these things for you. My place is to take you to where you need to be so that the Gods may look down upon you and give power to those who need it."

He looked at Lynn Matheri, "And those who do not need more power the Gods will make their true path clear if they wish to know. Now, go to a place called Augury Rock where your paths will all become clear."

With that he disappeared. Xiyra walked to where he had been standing. "I know where my path lies. It lies with bringing down those who killed my mother and scattered us, making us the villain when they are the true villains. I will go to Augury Rock and gain this new power in order to bring me sword to the very throat of the White Mantle before I cut off the head and bring them down."

She motioned to Alesia and Thom, "You're with me."

Arya looked at them all, "I'm going with her. She's too angry to think straight and if she goes off alone without someone watching her back she'll be killed out there."

Lynn shouted, "Watch the very ground you step! There are things out there that can kill an entire adventuring group. Always take a full compliment with you. Look out for the Rockshot Devourers and the Jade Scarabs. They burrow!"

Arya waved her understanding and called, "Akky, Shala, come on, we'll make short work of them."

The other two ran to join them and with that, the six left Amnoon Oasis. Siuil looked down to the water of the spring. "You're more familiar with this place than all of us," he began. "What's out there?"

"I just mentioned the Rockshots and the Jade Scarabs," said Lynn. "They are not the worst of what is to come out there, but they can swiftly make a challenging fight deadly. It is slow progress to avoid their burrows, and their traps. But once we are past their nesting grounds then we are into the other oasis where the Minotaurs are, and unlike the ones in the Shiverpeaks, these ones have a tough hide meant to withstand the blowing sands of the desert. There are hydras that make the ones in Old Ascalon look like ants."

Terrence sighed, "Is that all?"

"No, that is not all," said Lynn. "Merely a quick glossing over the hazards that could befall us now. And there is always the heat and the sand. No water for hundreds of miles, no edible food. Those who wish to travel or live here face a hard life unlike anything they have ever encountered before. I would take as much water as you can carry, because you will not find any for a very long time."

While they traveled the desert, seeking their Ascension, things still moved in the rest of the world. Cut off they were, and so, they had no idea of what was happening elsewhere.
Evennia looked out of her cell. "Markis, I cannot believe that you are capable of this."

Markis shrugged, "You think that your path gains power, but you have no idea. The Unseen Gods can see all, even this little plan of yours. Now your so-called heroes are likely dead at the hands of the undead and our men. You have lost."

"Nothing is ever lost," said Evennia. "We have the Deldrimor and the Ascalons. Even if I die, we still have that. And they will never stop fighting, as you well know. It may take generations, but your fall will come."

Markis harrumphed before turning around to face one of his own Unseen Gods. "Has she told us their plans for the future?"

"No, mistress," he said, although he wasn't sure what she was, or even if she was indeed even a she. "She remains stubborn."

The Unseen Elementalist sighed, "Pitiful creature. She would gain so much if she only allowed herself to be on our side."

Markis did not respond, but walked away as the floating creature followed behind him. "I am curious as to the human tendency to resist change while others embrace it. Why is that, you suppose? Why is your species so determined to agree to completely disagree?"

He stopped and looked at her. The expression was completely, then again, it always was. He suppressed a shudder. She didn't notice and they continued to walk to where the others were.

Terryann walked through the portal after defeating the doppelganger and things went fuzzy for mere seconds, but it was enough to completely disorient her. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was underground. Lynn Matheri was sitting on a rock while making patterns in the sand with his feet. As she looked around she noticed that for a cave it was extremely strange. Unlike the caves in Kryta, it was not formed by water, and unlike the ones before the Searing in Ascalon, movement of the earth and water did not cause it. She looked at him, realizing fully what it truly looked like, "What is this place?"

He looked up, "The lair of Glint, the Flameseeker Prophet."

She sucked in a breath as she saw, at first, Devona and Cynn, but soon she saw Akruan and Shala. Akara Nikhiora came to stand just behind Lynn and then a warrior she had not met before. She blinked and Akruan introduced them, "Terryann La Rune, this is Midori Rheau. Midori, this is Terryann, the daughter of Siuil La Rune."

"It is an honor to meet you Lady La Rune," said Midori. "The others have gone ahead and will meet us in Glint's lair."

"I thought you said that this was Glint's lair," Terryann turned to look at Lynn in surprise.

Lynn merely shrugged, and pointed out, "Very well, the antechamber to the lair. But we aren't there yet. Evidently the lair is heavily guarded and Glint only allows those who pass her tests to have an audience."

A Forgotten came up to them, "Now that all your companions are here, you may proceed. Good luck in there, the challenges are not easy."

Terryann shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "And my pet?"

"We had her wait outside for you, but we have allowed her in. She awaits you by the entrance," answered the Forgotten. "Go in peace and remember you receive only that which you take with you."

When they walked through the doorway and Illaesa padded in after them, Terryann asked, "What'd he mean by that?"

Akara said, in sudden inspiration, "He meant that if we leave in violence, it is because we brought it with us. Or whatever."

The last portal brought them into a massive cavern, and Terryann shook off the momentary feeling of nausea, as did the others. All except for Lynn Matheri who looked entirely too comfortable with the ease of teleportation. "Mages," muttered Shala Jarias.

Lynn looked over her, arched an eyebrow, but said nothing. Siuil walked over with Selena right behind him. "Everyone's here," said Devona. "Now we can find out what this was about."

A booming voice, loud and commanding, but strangely worn, and feminine. It seemed like it came from all around, but like the speaker was an ancient crone. "And so all the Ascended Chosen arrive in my lair, and the Flameseeker Prophecy comes true at last."

They turned and although they could not see the speaker, they could see a strange glinting like that of crystal and gems off the light given by Selena's fiery dragon sword. "Who are you?" asked Selena.

"I am the Flameseeker Prophet, child," said the voice, and the tone changed as if to indicate that the knowledge should have been obvious. "But, you would not have asked had you known."

"What do you want with us?" asked Arya, as she looked around.

"You aid you finish what you have started, Arya Bladedancer," answered the voice. "Ah, surprised that I know your name. But I know all about you. I have always known all about you, from before you were born this path was written and I have seen it."

"Then let us see you," said Lynn.

The darkness dispelled and they looked up at the massive head that was not two feet away from Lynn's face. Lynn's eyes widened and he stepped back one step. He recovered and began to laugh, "Why does this not surprise me?"

Siuil stared up into the eyes of a creature that had eyes like the night sky, and that was the feature his mind chose to focus on instead of resorting to running in terror from the massive creature who could have swallowed Gatanx whole and without choking or hesitation. "I mean no harm," Glint motioned with one claw as she lay down, her eyes half lidded with misleading weariness for the look in her eyes remained sharp.

"You're a dragon," said Arya in shock. "A true dragon."

"Yes, child, I am," said Glint. "My kind have been mostly absent from your world for longer than your kind has chosen to live as civilized nations and walk on two feet instead of four. Very few of us remain and those who do choose to live in seclusion."

As if to continue, Glint lifted her mighty head and as if reciting, "Arya Bladedancer, leader of a Guild made to commemorate the mighty Ascalon before its fall. In doing so became involved with the path of the Flameseeker, then became a Flameseeker herself."

"Siuil La Rune, your history was painful, but it too, was for seen. Your parents fates for seen as well, as painful as it was. Strange how it comes full circle. Your parents killers will come to justice by your hand, and that of your family, for it too is in the very core of the Flameseeker Prophecy," she continued. "But, you will become a king by your own hand eventually too, son of Siul. Have you always wondered why Lion's Arch was so familiar to you?"

Siuil looked up in surprise. "Yes, but how…?"

"You were there before, child, a long time ago, until your brother found you and took you home with his new bride."

"And we come to said brother, ah, Terrence La Rune, eldest son of Siul. The trailblazer. You will not finish this quest, and so your name was only an aside to the prophecy," the voice was about to move on, but was interrupted.

"So my father is to join my mother in the Afterlife?" asked Xiyra. "Is he to die for this Prophecy?"

"No, child, I merely state that he will not finish it with the Flameseekers. No, his path lies across the ocean and in Cantha. But that is neither here nor there and I can part the mists of time enough to See into that future," she said. "All I know is the Flameseeker."

Xiyra seemed to be satisfied with that, and the voice continued, "But it would be good that we come to you, Xiyra La Rune, daughter of Terrence La Rune. The Paladin's truest test will fall to you and the test will temper your blade and your soul like steel. But again, you are not to complete the Flameseeker Prophecy. Like father, the daughter shall bring peace to another land across the ocean, but I know not if be Cantha."

"Shala Jarias, your skills as necromancer will be tested to the breaking point, but a valuable ally you will be. Stay strong child, no matter what, and you will succeed."

"Devona… ah… Devona. A betrayal of trust will bring you back to Old Ascalon, but you will not be helping in finishing the Flameseeker Prophecy in a direct way. No child, to you will fall the task of defending Ascalon against the very enemies of the Charr with the aid of Cynn, who will not leave your side."

"Terryann La Rune, your mother named you well. Your bow shall deal the killing blow to the Unseen Gods and the true trouble behind them. Hone your skills, child, for the killing shot must be true."

"And we come to our 'visitors' who have aided us and passed the tests of Ascension," Glint sounded bemused. "Visitors I knew would come, but their role is unclear in the end. All I know is that to rely on you will prove vital later. You both must cement your trust in each other or all will fail. Not only here, but also in your next destination."

"What?" came both their question and it was Lynn who asked first, "What do you mean by that?"

"That is all I know," Glint answered sourly. "And so we come to you, Selena La Rune. The Searing took more than family from you, it took your memory. In a way, that fate is kinder than if you had remembered your home from before. I will give you a gift before you leave. You can only use it once, however, so choose wisely when you do use it. But I know you will. I have seen your choice. That gift is the gift of True Resurrection. There is no limit to how long your loved one will have been dead, you will always be able to raise them again and to the very condition they were in before their death. But, it has its price to both you and that one you choose."

"I will take it," said Selena. "The gift of Life is always worth the sacrifice."

"Indeed," said Glint. "Spoken like a true mother and future Queen of all of Ascalon, for that I see in your future in a few years. Unfortunately, the same endeavor that leads Devona and Cynn back to Old Ascalon will also see the death of King Adelburn, leaving you in his place. You carry in your hands the living proof that Rurik chose well, and now, with the birth of Prince Salamar, your place on the throne of Ascalon is now assured. And I know you will rule it well."

"And this sacrifice?" asked Siuil.

"Nothing that is not in her power to give, or will harm her," said Glint. "But difficult all the same. She must Soul Bond to the person she raises as, unlike other resurrection spells, not only does she draw upon the power of the Gods she must also completely and without hesitation wish for the person to come back. But, there is one limitation."

"At that being?" asked Arya.

"She must be able to kiss, on the dead lips, the person she wishes to raise," said Glint. "And so, she needs to physically touch the person to raise them. Upon doing so, the light of the heavens will part any darkness to shine on the body to reunite it with its lost soul, taking it back from the Mists to allow the person to again to walk upon the face of Tyria."

"Aunt Kristal was buried at sea," murmured Selena. "Damn."

"That's all right Selena," said Terrence, smiling sorrowfully. "I will see her again in the Mists when it becomes my time."

Glint cleared her throat. By now, the shock of the dragon being there had worn off and they could see her without having an instinct to run in terror. Siuil wanted to reach out and touch her hide to see if she was truly there instead of some dream. She was beautiful and had scales that looked like gems or crystal. Her eyes held him the longest, though. He found it strange that even though he knew that her claws could likely slice through even his plate mail like melted butter and she could swallow him whole, or she could spear him with her razor like teeth, the fear had faded. These things were like his sword or axe. Like him she used them in defense.

He dropped his hand as he realized that he had been about to touch one claw that was as long as he was tall and rested on the stone beside him. She turned her head from Arya and Selena and gazed at him, her long neck allowed her to bring her inches from his face. Or so it felt. It was likely more like feet. He blinked in surprise. "You do not have to be afraid of me," she said, bemused. "Go ahead, touch my claw or my hide if you wish. I am real."

Siuil reached out and touched her nose as he felt the warmth of her breath on his hands. Taking another hand, he let it sit beside the other one on the other side, feeling as if he was almost hugging the creature, although that was not the intent. Touching her only made the barely suppressed terror cause his stomach to back flip as, instinctually, he realized that it was no dream and the surreal feeling suddenly left as the cold hard truth sank in. "I'm not dreaming," he whispered, the terror in his voice making it sound shaky.

"No, you are not," she breathed out, causing his hair to move with the warm currents. "Be at peace, human, you are not food. I do not eat sentients. My weapons are defense and hunting only like that of your brother's bow."

She closed her eyes, strangely catlike, "Besides, you are handy for rubbing itchy places I cannot reach."

Siuil rubbed the end of her nose and she lowered her head to the floor, closing her eyes. "You have been through enough for today. We will continue tomorrow, although, you have no time to lose. You are safe here. But do not go into the south part of the cave where my eggs are. They are delicate and it is very hard to find suitable mates or to lay them. Tomorrow I can show you my children, but tonight you need rest as I do."

Siuil woke in the morning and looked over to where Glint had been, but only saw the tip of her tail as it twitched. A few short moments she turned to face him, "You are awake."

He looked around to the other alcoves where his companions still slept. "I am the first," he noticed.

She chuckled, "Come closer Siuil. I am fascinated by the innocent."

Siuil walked over, puzzled by her comment, "Uh, I've had children…"

"There is more to innocence that virginity," chided Glint. "And there is more to good that simply doing what is right. Tell me, Siuil, why do you do the things you do? Or do you even know?"

When he hesitated, she sighed. "You don't know," she motioned for him to follow her. "Come, I will show you something that no one sees." As he followed her she said, "Siuil, you know what is to be a parent, and now a grandparent. One day you will understand why you survive and why you do that which you do. Now, when you see these eggs, what do you see?"

Siuil looked at the ten eggs in an insulated alcove similar to the one he had slept in. They were all about the size of a child but a pink color. "These are your children?" he asked.

She nodded. "Then I see a type of innocence that is beyond the boundaries of species. If these can be innocent, then, somehow, all things began the same."

"Then you see what very few men see," she said. "Do you know what other men, even Adelburn, would see? They would see a way to power. Could you imagine legions riding to battle on dragons instead of horses?"

"I can," said a voice behind them.

Glint sighed, "Ah, yes, Raistlin, you would. But that is because you have. Siuil is not familiar with such a concept and neither are many Tyrians."

"I have also seen cities that float in the sky," he said. "Cities that survive underwater in false bubbles so that the sea does not crash into their world. I have seen cities in the depths of an ocean of stars. Perhaps I have seen too much in which nothing becomes wondrous to me anymore. How jaded my outlook, eh?"

"And we come to the truth of innocence," Glint turned to Siuil. "This is the loss of innocence and it is this that you face. Eventually you and Master Majere will stand on equal ground and in equal power."

"And at which point you will know me, but I will not have come to know you," Lynn, for once, sounded as if there was a note of sorrow. "And when that day comes you will truly understand the point of his conversation."

Siuil looked from one to the other, and then said to Lynn, "We've met before?"

"No, I've met you before. Has Akara ever told you the true meaning of my title?" seeing Siuil's headshake, Lynn continued. "Where I am from, I am known as the Master of Past and Present. Eventually, after leaving my own world, I become Master of Past, Present, and Future. Indeed, time itself became no object to me. When we meet again after this it will far into your own future when your daughter reigns as Queen together with her King. Her son will be adventuring himself and will be much like his own father in that respect, headstrong and willful. And, as Glint said, you will have become a King in your own right. You may think you are powerful now, Siuil, but when I first step foot on Tyria for the first time this all will be as nothing to you."

He shook his head, "All right, I've swallowed entirely too much, but this is simply far too much for me right now. You're telling me that you've moved back in time since first stepping foot on Tyria. That doesn't make any sense."

"It will in time," said Lynn, a faint smile on his face.

"I'd wish you stop that," said Akara. "The puns are simply… wait… that means you always knew I was here too."

Lynn nodded, "The downside to knowing what is coming is also knowing that saying anything too soon of what is known is not helpful. People just don't believe you."

"I would have," muttered Akara under her breath.

"That's different," Lynn's voice dropped low, whispery. "You've known me far longer than anyone else in this room outside of Glint."

As the rest woke, Glint called them to the center of the chamber. Once all were standing in a semi circle, she said, "Now is the time for you all to learn the truth of the Unseen Gods of the White Mantle. They are a race not from Tyria at all and are called the Mursaat. The Mursaat found Shaun D'Allessio near dead outside of Beetletun. They returned him to health, and in so doing, recognized the potential of having him as a pawn in their game of power. The Mursaat are parasites upon the land and corrupt all that would fall under their sway. They fear the Chosen for they will become Ascended, and according to the Flameseeker Prophecy these Ascended will destroy them."

Arya rubbed her chin, "But how are we to do this? If all reports are true, then the Mursaat are more powerful than us by far."

"That power will come to you, and in some ways already has," Glint looked directly at Lynn and Akara. "For the Mursaat are not from Tyria at all, but from a world not our own. You have allies also from a world not our own. In this you have power as the Mursaat will not prepared to face the power lent to you by these allies."

Akruan looked at Lynn, "So, he's a Mursaat, but like Gatanx has chosen to ally with us?"

"No, he is not," Glint sighed. "Raistlin is not from our world, but neither is he from the Mursaat's. His power is as alien to them as it is to us. Already he regains his former power. Soon, not only will he use Tyria's magic but also his own. Akara brings the strength of her own world as well, and soon you will meet with the Seer who will lend you power to resist the pain and suffering that the Mursaat inflict upon those who resist them. All of this will overpower them and bring about their fall. Once you meet with the Seer you must travel to the Ring of Fire, which lies to the west of New Ascalon in the Ember Isles. It is there that the Mursaat have their main seat of power."

"There is something else," said Lynn as he looked up at Glint. "Right?"

"I had hoped to not bring these tiding to you, but as you know you were betrayed by Markis. Already the Shining Blade lies broken over the knee of the White Mantle," Glint paused to allow this to sink in. "Your friends have either retreated to the Southern Shiverpeaks or to New Ascalon. But, as the White Mantle have allied with the Stone Summit, the war goes badly for the Deldrimor. "They have fallen back as far as Droknar's Forge and Thunderhead Keep. Old Ascalon struggles to help them but the Charr are not aware of the truth and so unwittingly aid the White Mantle as they have planned all along. Be warned, when you arrive in Droknar's, the situation will be grave. But I will be with you, as will the Gods that watch over you."

The portal opened and they could see snow falling on the ground of Droknar's Forge. Glint said, "Remember everything I have told you. That knowledge will become vital later and is your life thread. We will meet again. Now go and save your friends."

Everyone went through until the only one remaining was Lynn Matheri. "Glint…"

"You know what is to come, Raistlin Majere," she said. "You have a sense of honor and a compulsion to aid them. But you know that you cannot save them all."

"They have been through so much already," said Lynn. "Can you not…?"

"No, I cannot interfere directly, and I have already done too much," she answered. "Go now. Your friends wait for you… and friends they are."

Lynn ran through the portal and it closed immediately after. While her cavern was still empty but for her eggs, she still spoke, "And so the Flameseeker Prophecy comes true. Will this be enough to stop the Mursaat?"

"Glint, you know as well as everyone that you can give them the tools and show them the path but it is up to them to take it."

She turned to face the old man in mousy grey robes and the over large and floppy hat. "Indeed," she said. "But you are right, when given the chance he can redeem himself."

"Oh, he has already on his own world, but his power tipped the balance far too much," said the old man. "When another acquaintance of mine pointed out that perhaps he should see the limits of the planes and allow him to travel, our little world would seem far too small for even him. And he was right. Raistlin was never meant to stay in only Krynn, nor only Tyria. His journey will take him farther than any will have gone before. But so it should be for one who can handle the mantle of true godhood on their own."

"And the others?"

"Eventually I see a few of those, too, also following the path of power as young Majere," said the old man as he suddenly changed into a dragon of platinum before disappearing. On the wind that his wings left behind could be heard, "After all, all worlds began with new gods, not old ones."